# Koshchéy — Russian Folktales character guide

> Koshchéy in Russian Folktales by A. N. Afanasyev.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Koshchéy the Deathless, the Deathless

**First appearance:** 0046-m-rya-mory-vna

## Snapshot

The Deathless sorcerer whose name hangs over the tale of Márya Tsarévna, the dun cow, and a stepmother witch who cannot abide her stepdaughter's hidden fortune.

## Who they are

Koshchéy's presence shadows the story of Márya Tsarévna, whose stepmother sends her to the heath with a dry crust and a dun cow. Each day the girl bows to the cow's right foot and is dressed and fed like a princess, while her stepsisters try and fail to spy on her. The early tension lies in the witch's escalating suspicion and the magic that keeps Márya thriving, with Koshchéy's deathless threat waiting at the edge of the tale.

## In the story

### [Russian Folktales](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/russian-folktales)

The deathless villain who embodies evil and immortality.

### [Márya Moryévna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/m-rya-mory-vna)

The Deathless antagonist imprisoned by Márya, freed by Iván, who kidnaps Márya and later kills Iván.

### [The Snake Princess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/the-snake-princess)

The villain who fell in love with the princess and turned her into a snake when she laughed at him.

### [Midnight Dance. General Notes to This Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/chapters/midnight-dance-general-notes-to-this-story)

The Deathless; name derived from ancient meanings including a warrior of the Pólovtsy, a slave, and a fearful enchanter whose soul is hidden in an egg; epithet 'deathless' means he can only be slain in an extraordinary manner.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters/koschey
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/russian_folktales_se/characters